Following the regular weekly cabinet meeting, a statement was issued in which the cabinet expressed its regret that the U.S. had not voted against the Resolution 487 or at least abstained. The resolution itself was categorically rejected. Text:
The Security Council condemned Israel for the decision of its government to destroy the nuclear reactor near Baghdad, and for the implementation of this decision by the Israel Defense Forces. This unjust resolution gave expression to the double standard prevailing in the international body. The Iraqi dictatorship built a reactor in order to prepare secretly - under false pretenses, and in deceit - atomic bombs to be dropped in time on the centers of Jewish population in the State of Israel. But whom are they condemning at the Security Council? Not the potential producer of destructive atomic bombs, but the nation that, thanks to the heroic action of its sons, saved its citizens and children from disaster.
The Government of Israel condemns the Security Council resolution of condemnation, and categorically rejects it.
With profound regret, we note that the United States, our friend and ally, as stated by its ambassador to the United Nations, lent its hand to the grave wrong done to Israel. The United States went so far as to conduct talks with Iraq in order to arrive at a preagreed resolution.
Israel, believing in the justice of its cause, will continue to defend with all the means at its disposal, its citizens, and to prevent its enemies from producing weapons of mass destruction aimed at its population. This is Israel's sacred duty.